Switch-handle.



C. SGHUSTER.

SWITCH HANDLE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7. 190a.

Patented Dec. 14,1909.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL SCHUSTER, 0F BELLEVUE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH-HANDLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1909.

Application filed November 7, 1908. Serial No. 461,492.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL ScnUsTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Belle- .vue, ill the county of Allegheny and State may be easily and quickly removed and renewed, and providing a construction generally well adapted for the purposes in View.

The invention consists in molding the insulating handle with receiving sockets for the insertion of the blade terminals bodily into the handle, or each end thereof, and the securing of the blades therein'by screws inserted endwise of the handle and tapped into the blade terminals, as shallbe more fully hereinafter described.

In the drawings accompanying the application: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a knife switch illustrating the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view in elevation of the handle and blades, partly in section. .Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 2. Fig. .4 is a detail view of one of the blades detached.

In switches of the general type to which my invention is applicable, the blades Q are pivotally mounted in terminal hinge bearing 3, 2-), for making contact with the current terminals 4, 4, for making and breaking the. current through the blades.

5 represents my improved handle, of any suitable insulating material, as a non-condncting composition, fiber. rubber, etc, having a middle grasping portion and enlarged terminal ends 6, (Lof suflicient size to proride an ample body at each end of the handle for insertion of the terminals 7 of blades 2. Said enlarged ends 6 of the handle are designed in any suitable manner to completely embrace the blade terminals with ample surrounding body portion, being reinforced annularly, as shown, and preferably having projecting rounded ends 8, or made in any other suitable manner for strength and adaptability to the purposes intended.

A particular advantage in enlarging the ends of the handle is that they not only completely cover and embrace the blade terminals, thereby preventing accidental contact by the fingers of the operator, but offer visible grasping portions, whereby the handle may betakcn hold of either by the middle portion or either of such ends with entire safety, while the mounting provides greatrigidity and strength. If the handle is thus grasped by any portion, equal movement will be imparted to the blades without deflection of either one, thereby preventing imperfect contact or insertion at either side.

For the purpose of receiving the blade terminals 7 the ends 6 are recessed to provide correspondingly shaped sockets 9 into which the terminals 7 may be snugly inserted and by proper molding of the handles, the fit may be made so close as to make agood constructioneven without the securing screws, while providing for easy insertion or separation by using sufficient force. For the purpose however, of positively securing the parts together, the ends of the handles are provided with axial openings 10 preferably recessed at the outer portions by enlarged counter-sunk openings for the reception ofv the screw heads, and the blade terminals are provided with threaded or tapped openings 11, whereby securing screws 12 may be in sorted inwardly through the sockets 10 endwise and tapped into the threaded apertures 11 of the blade terminals, thereby solidly connecting the parts together. i

If desired, the longitudinal screw openings in the. ends of the handle may also be threaded for engagement of the screw, but I have found that such is not ordinarily necessary and the engagement of the screw with the terminal threaded socket of the blade is suiticient. a

'As stated, the heads of the screws are preferably counter-sunk as shown, obviating any possible contact, and the construction as thus made admits of the parts being easily, cheaply and quickly put together and taken apart as described and has the advantages noted.

It will be understood that the device may be made in various sizes or designs or may be differently utilized or changed by the skilled mechanic, but all such changes are to be considered as Within the scope of the fol lowingaclaims. '7 v d What I claim is l. A handle for switch blades made of non-conducting material and provided entirely within its body portion with a late r V ally arranged socket adapted to receive a larged bulbous countersunk ends, laterally arranged't-ransversc sockets between the ends of the handle and its middle portion into which the blade terminals project, and

curing screws extending centrally through the countersunk ends and tapped into the blade terminals, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence'of two witnesses.

CARL SCHUSTER.

\Vitnesses: I

O. M. CLARKE, CHAS. S. LnrLnY. 

